I agree that this category needs to justify with many sub category like Dearman mentioned. however, there would need a " pointing system" and final sum will reasonably support the ranking.

For example, I would rate:
1- deadly passes as 5points,
2- visionary pass (long or short) that open up a chance to score goal: 4points
3- midfield mater passing (distribute the ball tactically) 3 points
4- genral passing (number of successful pass/total number of passes) 2points

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If based on such a system, then MARADONA would be surely the PASS MASTER- no contest

It's a shame to have missed out Cruijff and Pele in the list!
- Pele has DEFINED his number #10 shirt is not a coincidence
- Cruijff was so famous with his precised pass picking out any team mate WITHOUT even look in up ...

Note that most great ones like Rivelino, Valderama, Didi, Cueto, Lausdrup, netzer, Beckenbauer, Platini and Zidane were great in 2,3 and 4 only. While some others like Zico, Cruijff and Pele were more in the sub categories of 1, 2 and 3 for their position and style ...

1. Johnny Haynes - arguably the greatest passer of the ball England has produced
2. Glenn Hoddle - nuff said
3. David Beckham - mock if you like, but his ability to land the ball on a six pence is what his game was all about.

1. Johnny Haynes - arguably the greatest passer of the ball England has produced
2. Glenn Hoddle - nuff said
3. David Beckham - mock if you like, but his ability to land the ball on a six pence is what his game was all about.

No doubt there are other English players worth mentioning also.

Click to expand...

"I hear Glenn Hoddle has found God. That must have been one hell of a pass."

aparently took 2 season for liedholm to miss a single pass for milan, resulting in a 5 minute ovation from the crowd. probably bs but a hell of a legend to have about a player.

best passer is a toughie. is it best at the long ball like becks or koeman, or is it consistency and maintaining possesion, like liedholm or ray wilkins (always passed it sideways or back, never forward), or is it vision, like pele or zz.

1. Johnny Haynes - arguably the greatest passer of the ball England has produced
2. Glenn Hoddle - nuff said
3. David Beckham - mock if you like, but his ability to land the ball on a six pence is what his game was all about.

No doubt there are other English players worth mentioning also.

Click to expand...

[Agreed 100% that "The Maestro" was arguably England's greatest ever midfield general. Even though he was "daft as a brush" at times, Gazza is another name that should be included IMHO. Ivor Broadis, Raich Carter, & Wilf Mannion were fantastic distributors whose names unfortunately seem to be fading from memory. If you open it up to the rest of Britain & the RoI names like Ivor Allchurch, "Slim Jim" Baxter, Liam Brady, & Billy Steel should be added to the list as well.]

It's a mistake not seeing Pelé & Tostão as key passers in the <70's too.

As much as Gérson & even more than Rivelino.

Among several examples the most startling was the anthological 3-second sequence of passes between Tostão-Pelé which culminated with Jair's winning goal against England - the key game of the 1970 Cup (& IMHO the most important of all Cups).

That's ok. There's some other great passes he makes on other compilations too but this one is about passing so I posted it. Probably quite a few great passes not on Youtube by him too, although there is a user that has lots of footage of his career.
Thanks for the Tostao/Pele/Jairzinho clip. Great teamwork, although I'd seen it before of course - even though it's against my country it still looks like a beautiful move, from a great World Cup team.

Than you are a terrific passer,one of the best in the world, and it happens you lost your spot at the NT coz of a countryman is it too !!!
Frankie Vercauteren provided tons of goals with his curling crosses mainly for Anderlecht and the NT...